Highways Agency

1 PREAMBLE

1.1 Local Highways Authority The National Guidance Framework (NGF)

This revised NGF document is an agreement made between the Executive of the Traffic Operations Co-ordinating Committee (TOCC) representing Local Highway Authorities (LHAs)⁵ and the Highways Agency ("the Agency"). It re-affirms and advances the principles behind the development of operational relationships between LHAs and the Agency, which were published in the first edition of the NGF (January 2002) and which is now superseded. The NGF is concerned with the management of traffic and traffic related events and information on the road network, particularly as it relates to the activities of the Agency's National Traffic Control Centre (NTCC), Regional Control Centres (RCCs) and Local Highway Authorities. A glossary of terms and abbreviations is found in Annex B.

1.2 Traffic Operations Co-ordinating Committee (TOCC)

The TOCC⁶ was established to bring together representatives from LHAs throughout England to keep under review the co-ordination agreements and operational procedures made with the Agency. It is overseen by the TOCC Executive, comprising representatives from the County Surveyors' Society (CSS), the Core Cities Group and the Technical Advisors Group (TAG). TOCC also includes representatives from the Agency, the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and a wide spectrum of LHAs in England.

1.3 Detailed Local Operating Agreements (DLOAs)

DLOAs are the working documents, agreed between the Agency, its operating partners and individual LHAs, based on a common framework, but tailored to meet the specific needs of that LHA. The DLOA, which is updated regularly, describe the procedures, protocols and communication methods that are used by each LHA, the RCCs and the NTCC in exchanging and acting upon operational information between the LHA, the RCCs, the NTCC, the Agency and its Service Providers.

1.4 Interested Parties

In addition to the primary partners to the NGF, there are numerous other parties across the UK that have an interest in or may be affected by the operational arrangements between the Agency and the LHAs, and who will need to be consulted from time-to-time.

1.4.1 Other Highway Authorities (OHAs)

Practical working relationships established with Other Highway Authorities (OHAs), which include bridge and tunnel operators, as well as control centres in Scotland and Wales where cross-border issues exist, will need to be regularly reviewed. Representatives from the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales have been closely involved in the consultative process for development of this NGF. This partnership will continue through the re-appraisal of national agreements, (similar to DLOAs) with each of these organisations.

1.4.2 Information Service Providers

The public and private news media and other information service providers play a key part in disseminating information to the travelling public. Accordingly, arrangements are in place with these providers to facilitate that information disseminated to the public is coordinated with other information channels such as the Agency's Web Site. Representatives of the media meet with the Agency and its operational partners on a regular basis to review the working arrangements.

1.4.3 Other Interested Parties

It is recognised that consultation will need to include a wide range of Other Interested Parties (OIPs) including the Police, the Agency's Service Providers, DBFO⁷ operators, major traffic generators (e.g. major sporting events, regional shopping centres) and others. Operating arrangements will continue to be developed with these groups to ensure that all aspects of Network operation are fully coordinated.

1.5 Common Objectives of the NGF

The existing mandates of the Highways Agency and Local Authorities, together with the recent development of the Traffic Management Act, suggest that there are many areas where the two levels of operating authority share common objectives.

• To respond to the Agency's and LHA's responsibilities in terms of managing the road infrastructure by implementing traffic management, network communications and other measures aimed at making best use of the existing infrastructure and facilitating integration with other transport modes.
• To take action to reduce congestion and increase the reliability of journey times.
• To minimise the impact of the network on both the natural and built environment.
• To improve safety for all road users and contribute to the Government's new safety strategy and targets for 2010.
• To work in partnership with the travelling public, transport providers and operators, and others affected by operations, to promote choice and information for the travelling public, monitor and publish information about the performance and reliability of the network.

5 For the purposes of this document, the terms "Local Highway Authority" and "LHA" refer to a Local Authority in England responsible for local roads under relevant legislation. A "Local Authority" under this definition is considered to be a county council, a district council, a London borough council, a joint authority established by Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985 or the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as local authority or any authority that is a successor authority to any of them. [back to 5]

6 Terms of Reference for the Traffic Operations Co-ordinating Committee (TOCC) are detailed in Annex C. [back to 6]

7 A number of Agency roads are maintained by Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) contractors. [back to 7]